INTRODUCTION
Welcome back to the Chronicles of the Seventh. As always I begin by stating I do not own Naruto.
THANK YOU
A special thanks to those who reviewed my previous chapter: charles cdv; Mudcake; Exor; Anonymous Stalker; Ben Vilhaven; Diamond Man; airnaruto45; aej1085; hideki411; NarutoBigFreak; jake11124; Kushina's Truth of Hell; MyHikari; ZeroTail29; Silver Senpai; Konoha's Crimson Fox; SenninClaudio; tdwtfan1899 & Sazan.
RESPONCES
charles cdv - Lol! Indeed.
Mudcake - Ahh, you are right. Tha canon Sakura could never beat Kisame. But there is a good reason why my Sakura could. One that will be revealed in time. So did my fight really piss you off? Lol. Sorry. But like I said, there is a reason behind it. You'll see. Perhaps then you won't be upset by it. *HINT* Remember, Madara said to Sakura that she beat Kisame...by accident.
Also, I know who Kotetsu is. But if you recall the chapter in Book II of my story, Sakura received her own slug from Lady Tsunade that was also called Kotetsu. Also, the male ninja Kotetsu is dead in my story. Casualty of war I'm afraid.
Exor - Ha! Well at least someone wasn't pissed off by my having Sakura defeat Kisame. Anyway, yes Sakura does have the potential. But does she have the ability? I think you'll be very surprised when you learn how she actually won that fight.
Anonymous-stalker - Hmmm, Is it really? I'll have to look into that. I think I may be right but I'll check. Glad you liked the fight. What happened to Kisame will be revealed in time.
Ben Vilhaven - No! More cliff hangers! I want you all to drown in a sea of cliff hangers Lol! Ah the treasue and the Curse? That too will be revealed in time. Lol! As will more be revealed regarding how Sakura won her fight. I'm glad you're interest in my story remains high.
Diamond Man - Yes, i plan to make the scope of Naruto vs Sasuke a big one. As always I hope I can pull it off properly. Glad you're enjoying things.
airnaruto45 - Perhaps. You never know what I'll do. Lol!
aej1085 - Thanx.
hideki411 - Thanx.
NarutoBigFreak - In one day! Heh, heh! No that's flattering. Thank you.
Jake11124 - I know Uzumaki means Maelstrom. but c'mon...The Crmison Maelstrom? That doesn't sound good. Just try saying it. Does that sound awesome? Beside, with Naruto's wind style it makes sense for his nickname to be Wind related don't you agree?
Glad you enjoyed the pace of the NS maturation. It was something I know that can be a bit painstaking if you get impatient (right airnaruto-kun) but it was improtant to me not to rush things just for the sake of it. I've come to learn not many people like InoxNeji but to me they seem like a perfect match. And yes, I agree, This entire story should have been split into four books not three. Ah! But you know what they say about hindsight. Glad you are enjoying the story and keep reviewing.
Kushina's - Oi Kushina chan! Almost perfection is better than I'd thought they'd be. lol! Personally I can't stand reading a NS fic with very little Sakura in it. That kinda doesn't make it a NS fic IMO.
I'm glad you loved the Sakura heavy chapter. As the title suggested, this chapter was all about her and maturation as a ninja. IMO, Sakura has to be able to properly complement Naruto as a ninja if she is to ever be seen as his equal. I hoped to make this chapter about how she finally achieved that by defeating an enemy of Naruto's caliber.
MyHikari - Wha! *recoils in horror* Where'd you get that from. -_- You're kinda pervy ain't cha? Glad you enjoyed the chapter. Lol!
ZeroTail29 - No biggy Zero. I'm just happy you're still reading. Glad you enjoyed the chapter.
Silver Senpai - Really? Well thank you for saying so SS. BTW, Blade of the Shinigami will be resarting soon after this series ends. I know you're a fan of that one.
Konoha's Crimson Fox - Lol! I'm surprised that you're the only one to mention Sakura's battle axe. But I guess it seemed like the thing to do if she's going to fight a guy with sword, then she needed a weapon. And if you look on deviant art almost every weapon Sakura is ever given is that same ax. So there ya go. Glad you enjoyed the chapter.
SenninClaudio - Lol! that wasn't the only reason Sakura won the fight ya know. Lol! Glad you are so excited for this chapter. I hope I live up to your expectations.
tdwtfan1899 - Welcome back. the same thing happened to me so I know what it's like to lose your pc. I'm glad you enjoyed all the chapters you missed and I hope to keep hearing from you.
Sazan - Glad you enjoyed the chapter Sazan. And I agree, my writing has improved since I began this story. And don't apologize for being critical. That's what i want. The only way to improve is to have my work critiqued and then adjust. So thank you. And I hoep you get some sleep before reading my chapter. :)
MESSAGE FROM THE AUTHOR
Alright so here is chapter 33 of my story. Some of you have been asking how much further to go until the finish line. Well at this point I'd say there are 6 chapters left. This is subject to change of course but as of right now that is the projected number. Anyway, please remember to leave a review and enjoy.
Naruto: Chronicles of the Seventh
Book III: End of Innocence
Chapter XXXIII: Battle of Brothers
******Valley of the End – The Land of Fire – Seven Years Ago******
Naruto stood on the head of the statue of Hashirama Senju. Standing on the statue of Madara Uchiha across the waterfall was Sasuke. Thinking back on things Naruto can't believe how young he was. How long ago this felt. How so much had changed. "Why," Naruto yelled. "Why Sasuke! What made you like this!"
"What does any of this have to do with you," Sasuke asked. "I have my own path. I won't let anyone lead me any other way no matter who it is. Let me make this clear to you. My childish games with Konoha are over. Go Home!"
"Did that wake you up," Naruto asked after attacking Sasuke.
"Yeah," Sasuke said. "I've been awake all this time. From a dream by my foolish self who dreamed of a future with comrades drunken with the assurance of peace! That's why I left the Village! That's why I desire power!"
"Do you know Naruto," Sasuke said. "That if both you and your opponent are first class ninjas you can only read each others minds when your fists meet."
"Stop this Sasuke," Naruto yelled. "I'll stop you myself! Even if I have to break every bone in your body and drag you back! I will stop you!"
"Shut the hell up," Sasuke yelled. "What do you know about me! Someone who had no family or siblings! You had nothing in the first place! How could know what it feels like to lose everything! We suffer because of our bonds! You don't know what it feels like to lose them!"
"Your right," Naruto said. "I don't know how it feels like to have a real family or brothers. But when I'm with Iruka-sensei I wonder, if it this is what it feels like to be with a father. And when I'm with you, I wonder if it's like being with a brother."
"Why," Sasuke asked. "Why do you care so much! Why do you go so far for me?"
"You were one of the first bonds I've ever made," Naruto answered. "And that's why, I have to stop you."
******Land of Fire – Now******
Naruto and Sasuke merely stared at each other for what seemed like forever as the memories of that day played out in both their minds. They could vividly recall what was said and done as if it were just yesterday. Despite himself Sasuke couldn't help but give grin slightly. So mach had changed, yet, somehow, things still seemed remarkably the same.
Sasuke remained seated on the log as Naruto remained standing in the bushes. His face was partially shaded by the overhanging trees but he seemed to have a blank, dispassionate look on his face. So Naruto, Sasuke thought. Your eyes look like mine now.
Slowly Naruto stepped out of the bushes and into the large clearing. His gaze was fixed squarely on Sasuke and his fists clenched tight. Sasuke slowly got to his feet and faced Naruto in silence. Naruto quickly looked around to get a good idea of the landscape. The clearing was immense with only a few large boulders scattered about. It was the perfect place for a proper fight.
"Well Naruto," Sasuke finally said. "Don't you have anything to say? I'm sure you would."
Naruto remained silent as he looked up at the sky. He could see the moon slowly making its way in between the earth and the sun. The solar eclipse, by his estimation, would happen in less than twenty minutes.
"I'm surprised," Sasuke said. "I was sure you would come here yelling about why I've done what I did or pleading with me to reconsider. Why are you so quiet all of a sudden? You're not even going to ask me about what I did to Sakura?"
Naruto looked down and back to Sasuke in complete silence. Despite Naruto's silence, Sasuke could see the tension in his body. Not to mention the fact that his chakra was flaring wildly. To Sasuke Naruto seemed like an ocean. On the surface things appeared calm. But underneath, the water was raging.
Sasuke slowly drew his sword from his sheath and readied it. "You really aren't going to say a word Naruto," Sasuke asked. Naruto looked down at his open right hand and raised it to eye level and clenched it into a fist and stared at it. After a brief moment his eyes moved from his fist to Sasuke and he glared at him with an icy stare.
Then, Naruto seemed to vanish in front of Sasuke eyes only to reappear next to him. Sasuke tried to react but he was too slow. Naruto punched him squarely in the face launching Sasuke back. The force of the blow sent Sasuke flying, slamming into the ground. Sasuke quickly stabbed his sword into the ground to stop himself and then quickly got to his feet. But much to his amazement Naruto was in the air just above him with his hand raised and ready to attack again.
This time Sasuke was fast enough to leap back as Naruto came crashing down, punching the ground with enough force to create a small crater. Naruto didn't hesitate, he closed in again, drawing a kunai just as Sasuke swung his sword. Sparks flew as both blades crashed into each other. Both men remained locked in a death grip as they each attempted to push the other back. "Nothing…..to….say Naruto," Sasuke asked as he fought to push Naruto back.
Naruto continue to stare at Naruto with dead eyes and said, "What is there to say that hasn't already been said countless times Sasuke." Much to Sasuke surprise Naruto suddenly slid to the side, throwing Sasuke off balance. Naruto then slid around Sasuke while pulling him forward with his free hand. Slipping behind him Naruto raised his kunai to his throat. "Besides," Naruto said as he stood behind Sasuke with a kunai to his throat. "There is only one thing you listen to now."
Sasuke remained perfectly still and silent for a moment before cracking a smile. "Big words Naruto," he said. Just then Naruto felt something jabbing him in his left side under his arm. Looking down he saw that Sasuke was holding his sword and had slipped it under the weak spot in Naruto's flak jacket. The blade was positioned perfectly between Naruto's ribs and at an angle where with only the slightest push, it would pass through his ribs and puncture his heart. Sasuke looked back at Naruto and said, "You really….aren't the same Naruto you used to be….are you?"
"Is it because of what I did to Sakura," Sasuke asked. Naruto tensed and gritted his teeth just as Sasuke simultaneously grabbed Naruto's hand and pulled the kunai away from his throat and tried to stab Naruto. But Naruto was prepared. He had already pulled a second kunai and knocked Sasuke's sword back.
Sasuke quickly turned to face Naruto and leapt back to put space between himself and Naruto who remained at the ready. What type of kunai are those, Sasuke said as he stared at the oddly shaped kunai in Naruto's hands. I'll have to keep an eye on those.
Sasuke's entire body began to crackle with electricity as it began to flow to the sword until it glowed brightly. Sasuke lowered the sword and then sprinted at Naruto who readied himself and quickly swung at Sasuke. Naruto and Sasuke began trading strikes back and forth. But it seemed no one could land a hit.
Sasuke quickly ducked as Naruto swung his kunai and he swung his sword at Naruto's stomach. Naruto blocked the move with one kunai and used his other kunai and jabbed towards Sasuke's neck. Sasuke side stepped the move and punched Naruto in the wrist, forcing the kunai out of his hands. Once again both men were locked in a contest of strength as they pushed back and forth using their blades.
I don't get it, Sasuke thought. The kunai Naruto used the last time were covered in rubber to protect him from my chidori. But these new ones aren't. So why are they repelling my lightning? Sasuke stared at the blades and then his eyes widened when he finally came to the answer of his question.
But before he could react Naruto grinned as he slowly raised his free hand and then began making a several hand signs. "What the," Sasuke said. He can make hand signs with one hand!
"Shadow Clone Jutsu," Naruto said as he created two clones that immediately attacked Sasuke from either side. Sasuke quickly released a surge of electricity throughout his body forcing Naruto back. He then quickly stepped back and out of range as one of the clones swung its kunai as his face. Sasuke then blocked the kunai of the other clone and blasted it with electricity causing it to vanish. He then sliced through the other clone, defeating it.
Suddenly Sasuke saw a shadow and looked back to see Naruto in the air, leaping towards him with his kunai at the ready. Naruto then threw the kunai at Sasuke and said, "Kunai Clone Jutsu!" Sasuke was shocked to see the one kunai suddenly transform into hundreds that all flew at him.
Damn, Sasuke thought. No time to dodge! Sasuke began to swing his sword about with incredible speed and accuracy as he knocked away one kunai after another. As the last of them was knocked away Sasuke then realized that they all had explosive tags on them. "Shit," he yelled just as the hundreds of tags exploded at once.
Sasuke leapt high in the sky out of the flames and explosion. Damn, Sasuke thought. He's actually got me on my heels. I didn't expect him to attack me with such ferocity. Suddenly Sasuke heard Naruto scream and he looked behind him to see Naruto blasting a concentrated vortex of wind from his fists and was hurtling up towards him.
Naruto slammed into Sasuke in mid air and the two began to trade punches and kicks at incredible speed. Sasuke landed blow after blow but Naruto kept absorbing the attacks and countered with punches and kicks of his own as the two continued to fall back to the ground.
Sasuke, realizing the harsh, unforgiving ground was fast approaching flipped and kicked Naruto squarely in the chest with both feet while also using the momentum to push himself away. He then flipped and landed perfectly on the ground while Naruto crashed into the ground due the force of Sasuke's attack.
Sasuke calmly waited as the dust settled and was shocked at what he saw. Naruto, he thought. There's not a scratch on you. What the hell is going on? It was at that time that he remembered something from their exchange of attacks. Every time Sasuke attacked there was a feeling of resistance as he got closer to Naruto. It felt as though there was invisible force buffering the impact of his blows at the last moment before they landed.
"Hmmm," Sasuke said as he removed the bandages from his forearms, revealing tattoos underneath. Sasuke quickly summoned several kunai and then sprinted at Naruto who ran towards him. Sasuke threw two kunai and flipped into he air and threw two more causing Naruto to leap out of the way and dodge each attack. Then much to his surprise Naruto turned and leapt straight towards Sasuke. Sasuke smiled. You're too impatient Naruto, he thought as he threw several kunai right at him.
But surprisingly all the kunai veered off just before they struck and Naruto punched Sasuke in the stomach only for Sasuke to transform into a log and fall to the ground. Substitution Jutsu, Naruto said as he landed and looked about. "I know you're there Sasuke," Naruto said as he stared to a far off tree. "I can feel your chakra."
Sasuke stepped out and stared at Naruto and then looked at a blade of grass that was floating down just above Naruto's head. And then just before it landed on his head it seemed to blow off and away like it was caught in a sudden breeze. Seeing this made Sasuke smile. "I get it," Sasuke said. "You're really something Naruto. I was wondering why my attacks seemed to either not hit with the force they should or just miss altogether. Now I get it. You've covered yourself in some type of armor made of wind. And light attacks, such as punches, kicks and even kunai or shuriken are repelled. And you must have increased the density of the wind in order to buffer your fall. Am I right?"
Naruto couldn't help but smile. "Good isn't it," he asked. "It's something I only recently came up with. I call it Wind Release: Air Armor."
"All right," Sasuke said. "Let's see how powerful that armor of yours is!" Sasuke took off in a dead sprint towards Naruto as he once again unsheathed his sword and charged it with electricity. Naruto drew two kunai and blocked the first attack and parried the next. Sasuke leapt and tried to kick Naruto in the head twice only for both kicks to be repelled by Naruto's armor. Sasuke suddenly sped up and appeared behind Naruto and swung his sword at Naruto's back. The sword hit the armor and pieced through just enough for it to slice Naruto along his side. Naruto yelled in pain as he turned and swung his kunai at Sasuke forcing him to back away.
Sasuke flipped up into the air and landed several feet away and immediately took a deep breath and fired a massive blast of fire from his mouth. "Fire Release: Great Fire Ball Technique!" A massive ball of flames hurtled towards Naruto who quickly made several hand signs and then screamed as he threw a punch at the fire ball. A massive wall of air shot out of his fist and struck the fireball turning it into a massive column of flames that shot up into the sky.
******Meanwhile******
"My, My," Madara said calmly as he watched the massive flames shoot up into the sky. Despite the fact that he was more then a mile away he was impressed with the sheer size of the blast. "It looks like Naruto-kun and Sasuke-kun are finishing the warm ups." Still seated on the large branch of a tree Madara looked down to see Sakura trying in vain to get to her feet. "I really wish I could see how it turns out," Madara said. "Don't you agree, Haruno Sakura?"
Sakura gritted her teeth as she strained to push herself up. C'mon, she thought. Move! Move! Move! But the most she could manage was pushing herself up a few inches off the ground before her arms and legs gave out on her.
"There's no need to rush things Sakura-chan," Madara said as he looked down from his perch. "We still have plenty of time."
******Meanwhile******
Sasuke glared at the massive fire that engulfed the area in front of him. Through the smoke he could see a silhouette that became clearer and clearer until Naruto came into view. "Heh," Sasuke laughed. I was right, that armor can repel lesser attacks. But it can't repel my Fire Release. If it could, Naruto wouldn't have used that other technique.
Slowly Sasuke's eyes transformed into Mangekyo Sharingan and then he said, "Naruto, no more games. Let's fight seriously now."
Naruto's eyes changed from being just Toad-like to having both toad and Fox-like eyes and his entire body began to emanate a faint reddish glow from his entire body. "All right Sasuke," Naruto said. "Let's put an end to this."
"Chidori Senbon," Sasuke said as he released dozens of small blasts of senbon shaped, blasts of electricity. Naruto seemed to move so fast that it almost seemed as though he disappeared as he out ran the attack. Sasuke continued to fire volley after volley of blasts but Naruto continued to outrun them as he made his way closer to Sasuke.
Naruto quickly made a hand sign and said, "Multi-Shadow Clone Jutsu!" He quickly transformed into several dozen clones. Each clone blew wind infused chakra into their hand that took the shape of a ball. "Spiraling Wind Ball Barrage," each clone yelled as they each threw the ball of chakra at Sasuke.
Sasuke made several hand signs and took a deep breath and fired a massive fireball, easily three times the size of the last one. "Fire Release: Great Dragon Fire Jutsu," Sasuke yelled as the large blast of fire, shaped as a dragon engulfed all of the blasts of wind. And hurtled towards all of the clones.
Naruto was in shock as he saw the fire ball nearly double in size as it hurtled towards him. Damn it, Naruto thought. It fed on my Wind Release and increased in power. Naruto pulled out a kunai and threw it directly into the flame just as it crashed into the clones, destroying them, before heading towards him.
Sasuke quickly dodged as the kunai Naruto threw flew out the back of his fire jutsu and whizzed by his head before embedding into the dirt behind him. The fire ball continued to rise into the sky before disappearing into the clouds that began to turn dark. "Did I get him," Sasuke whispered.
Sasuke gasped when he heard Naruo say, "Nope." Sasuke turned to see Naruto leaping towards him with a ball of energy in his right hand. "Rasengan," he yelled as he struck Sasuke in the chest. Sasuke screamed as the Rasengan slammed into him and slammed him into the ground.
Naruto took deep breaths as he stared at Sasuke's motionless body. Naruto sighed and then looked to the left and saw Sasuke standing there. Before Sasuke could react he felt a kunai at his back. Sasuke looked back to see Naruto there. "Did you really think you could fool me with genjutsu," Naruto said.
The fake Sasuke, laying in the crater faded away just as the clone standing above him dispersed. "When did you know," Sasuke asked.
"That you used Genjutsu on me just before you used your Fire Jutsu," Naruto asked. "Immediately."
"Heh," Sasuke said. "So genjutsu doesn't work on you huh? Well, let's try this then!" Sasuke's body suddenly disappeared in a burst of flame and appeared a few feet away. He quickly made several hand signs and said, "Shadow Clone Jutsu!" He quickly created two clones that quickly surrounded Naruto on each side. Sasuke and his clones then made a few hand signs and took a deep breath. "Fire Release: Great Dragon Fire Jutsu," they yelled as blasts of fire shaped as dragons hurtled towards Naruto.
"Damn," Naruto yelled as he created a Rasengan in each hand and then cracked them open. Two large tornados launched skywards just the flames crashed into them.
Sasuke looked on with a stunned expression. "So that how he defeated he Biju," he whispered.
Naruto screamed as he pushed more chakra into the tornados and pushed the flames back. The Dragon flames, finally unable to move forward, veered up and into the increasingly darkening clouds.
The tornados died down as Sasuke stared on in silence. As the smoke cleared he saw Naruto breathing heavily. "Is that….all you got," Naruto asked. Sasuke could see the faint sign of tears rolling down Naruto's cheek.
"Tch," Sasuke said as he bit his thumb and wiped the blood on his forearm and slammed his palm on the ground. Seeing this, Naruto quickly bit his thumb and wiped the blood on his palm and slammed it to the ground.
Both of them simultaneously yelled, "Summoning Jutsu!" Naruto saw Sasuke standing on a large Hawk as it hovered just off the ground.
"Hey Naruto," Gamakichi said as Naruto stood on the massive toads head.
Naruto continued to glare at Sasuke and said, "Hey Gamakichi. You ready?"
Gamakichi shaded his eyes as he stared at the massive bird and the person on top of him. "So," he said. "That's Sasuke huh? It been a long time since I saw him last. All right Naruto! Let's do this!"
Sasuke's hawk began to rise higher and higher into the sky as Gamakichi reached for his sword that was strapped to his back and he unsheathed it slightly. The Hawk backed up and paused momentarily before taking off towards Gamakichi with it's talons at the ready. Gamakichi pulled out his sword and swung it at the bird as it flew past.
The birds' talons sliced through Gamakichi's shoulder and upper back as his sword just missed it. "Argh," Gamakichi screamed in pain as he bird flew up and prepared to attack again.
"We need to get higher Gamakichi," Naruto said. "I need to get to Sasuke!"
"Tell me something I don't know," Gamakichi yelled as the bird flew towards him again. This time Gamakichi leapt towards the bird. "Hold on Naruto," he yelled as the two massive creatures closed in on each other. This time Gamakichi's sword cut into the birds side as it's talons sliced into his other arm.
The bird screamed in pain as it flew back up high into the sky just as Gamakichi landed, crushing trees underneath him and turning to face his enemy. "We can't win this way Naruto," Gamakichi said. "That damned bird is too fast."
"Right," Naruto said, "We'll need to use wind Release!"
"What," Gamakichi yelled nervously. "Naruto I only recently learned Wind Release! I'm not good enough to use it yet!"
"No problem," Naruto said with a smile. "I'll control the Jutsu. You just provide the power!" Naruto placed his hand on Gamakichi's back just as the large hawk flew in towards them. "All right," Naruto said. "Let's do this!"
The Hawk flew in with its talons ready when Gamakichi took a deep breath and fired a massive blast of concussive air that slammed into the hawk knocking it back and spiraling into the air. The Hawk quickly regained its' balance and dived in again. This time Sasuke made several hand signs and placed his fingers under his lips. "Fire Release: Pheonix Sage Fire!" Sasuke began firing volley after volley of fire balls at Gamakichi and Naruto.
"Damn," Gamakichi said as he shielded himself from the blasts. He then took another deep breath and fired another massive blast of compressed air knocking away many of the fire balls. But several more got through, striking Gamakichi all over his body. And as the flames died down Naruto was shocked to see that they contained kunai with explosive tags. Each exploded knocking Gamakichi down and almost throwing Naruto off.
"Gamakichi," Naruto yelled. "Gamakichi are you alright!"
Gamakichi moaned in pain. "Yeah," he said. "It'd take more than that to take down the son of Gamabunta you idiot!" Gamakichi slowly got up and steadied himself. Both he and Naruto looked up to see Sasuke and his hawk high above them circling them like prey. "Naruto," Gamakichi said. "We need to do something. That guy will pick us apart if we let him stay up there."
"I know," Naruto said. "And I have a plan! Listen…"
High above them Sasuke stared down. Is this really all you can do Naruto, Sasuke thought. I really underestimated you. "Alright," Sasuke said to his Hawk. "Let's end this." The Hawk immediately began to fly down as Sasuke readied his Phoenix Sage Fire Jutsu.
Sasuke fired another volley of blasts when Naruto placed his hand on Gamakichi's back and said, "Now! Fire Release: Toad Flame Cannon!" Gamakichi then fired a large, steady stream of flames from his mouth at Sasuke and his hawk.
Damn, Sasuke thought. He combined the Toads Fire Jutsu with his own Wind Jutsu! I only have one shot. Sasuke made several signs and placed his hand on the back of his hawk and said, "Fire Release: Infinite Phoenix Flame!"
The Hawk then spat out its own blast of fire and when each blast hit, it created a massive wall of flames that could be seen for miles. When the fire finally faded Sasuke was shocked to see both Naruto and his Toad were gone. He then saw a large shadow around him and he looked up to see Gamakichi high above him and was falling towards him with his sword above his head.
"Shit," Sasuke yelled as he commanded his hawk to look up and fire another blast of flames.
"Argh," Gamakichi yelled as he was struck by the flames but continued his attack. "Now Naruto," he yelled.
"Right," Naruto yelled as he leapt off of Gamakichi's back and released a blast of wind from both fists to propel him towards Sasuke.
"What," Sasuke said. "He can…..?" Naruto punched Sasuke squarely in the face as both men fell off the hawks back. Meanwhile Gamakichi was able to slice the hawk in half. Gamakichi, Naruto and Sasuke all fell crashing to the ground.
"Heh, heh," Gamakichi said as he winced in pain. "We really did it Naruto. But….I've got nothing left….you'll have to finish it….on your own." Gamakichi disappeared in a puff of smoke leaving both men alone once again.
Sasuke moaned in pain as he got to his feet. Several yards away he saw Naruto get to his feet as well. Naruto had a grin on his face and said, "I'm surprised Sasuke. After all this, and your actually weaker than me?" Sasuke's eyes grew wide and then he glared at Naruto. Still grinning Naruto said, "What's the matter? Are you scared, scaredy-cat?"
Sasuke gritted his teeth and made hand signs and sprinted towards Naruto. But before he could activate his technique Sasuke was shocked to find the ground under his feet moving and several dozen clones broke out of the ground, each holding a Resengan in their hand.
Damn, Sasuke thought as he began to dodge and each attack before he stabbed his sword in the ground and said, "Chidori Current!" Electrical energy flowed from Sasuke's body and the ground in all directions and blasted away all the clones before they could strike. But then Naruto, appeared behind him with a large ball of energy in his hand. "That's….!"
Naruto threw the Rasenshuriken at Sasuke who quickly summoned a large snake right in front of him that took the brunt of the blast. The snake couldn't absorb it all however and Sasuke was blown back and slammed into the ground.
Sasuke grimaced in pain as he tried to get up only to find both his arms pinned down. Opening his eyes he saw two of Naruto's clones each holding down one of his arms. And at his feet stood Naruto holding a kunai. "Aaaaargh," Naruto screamed as he leapt down at Sasuke with his kunai prepared to stab him.
Shit, Sasuke thought as he saw the blade hurtling towards him.
******Meanwhile******
"Hmmm," Madara said as he stared off in the direction of Sasuke and Naruto's battle. "Those two are really pulling out all the stops." Madara then looked down to see Sakura below him. She was drenched in sweat and she was taking short, choppy breathes.
I have….to….do something, Sakura thought as she felt a small rock underneath her. She grabbed it and tried to put as much chakra as she could in her arm before turning and throwing the rock as hard as she could at Madara.
Madara calmly stared at her as the rock whizzed right through him and flew high into the sky and out of sight. "Wow," Madara said. "You are pretty strong. To think you could muster that much chakra in your condition."
Sakura gripped her chest as she felt a sharp pain. "Sakura-sama," Kotetsu yelled as it made her way to her. "Sakura-sama, you must stop. You don't have the chakra left to fight."
"You should listen to your slug Sakura," Madara said. "You don't want to go and die now do you?"
******Meanwhile******
Sasuke remained perfectly still as the kunai remained inches from his eye ball. He could see the kunai was shaking slightly as the hand that held it trembled. Sasuke took a deep breath and calmed himself. It was then he felt small droplets of water hit his chest. Sasuke looked to see that Naruto was crying.
"You shed tears to easily Naruto," Sasuke whispered. "That's always been an annoying thing about you. You shed tears for those who would not do the same for you." Sasuke looked at Naruto who remained silent. "What happened to those eyes that were so full of conviction just now," Sasuke asked. "Are you still lacking resolve?"
Naruto was trembling violently as the kunai remained precariously close to Sasuke's eye. "It's not easy is it," Sasuke asked which caused Naruto to open his eyes wide and gasp slightly. "Forgiving someone who has killed so many you care about…it's easier said than done isn't it, Naruto?"
"Why are you still hesitating Naruto," Sasuke asked. "Haven't I killed enough of your comrades? Or is it maybe you don't care about them as much as you claim?" Naruto gritted his teeth as the kunai inched closer.
Sasuke grinned as he looked at Naruto and said, "Or what about Sakura?" Naruto's eyes grew wide and he tensed up. "Do you not care what I did to her?"
Naruto screamed and pushed the kunai down stopping less than an inch from Sasuke eye. Still he was crying and his hand shook. "One question," Naruto said as Sasuke stared at him. " I just…need to know one thing. Do you feel any better?"
"What's that," Sasuke asked.
"Has all this death and destruction you've caused made you feel any better," Naruto asked. "Has your revenge brought you any peace!"
"Peace," Sasuke asked. He looked up at the sky for a brief moment as if considering the question. He then clenched his fist, his brothers' hand and said, "Peace? That was never my goal."
Sasuke looked at Naruto and began to remember all their times together and the laughs they had once shared. They had seemed so long ago. But he could see that Naruto was reliving them now. "Naruto," Sasuke said, "Do you want to know how I feel? I feel…..exhilaration! It's like a high I've never felt before."
Naruto glared at Sasuke and could see the passion in his eyes as he spoke. "I feel like I'm finally cleansing the Uchiha name of the stigma that's dogged it for years and putting things to right. I'm finally freeing the Uchiha from this corrupt ninja world and finally wiping it from all of your memories! And by killing every last one of you any link to the Uchiha will be severed and purified!"
"It's funny Sasuke," Naruto whispered. "You and I could have easily been standing in each others shoes right now. When I was a kid, everyone hated me because of what I had inside me. And I hated them all too. I wanted revenge on them all. But it wasn't until I met you, Iruka-sensi, Sakura and Pervy Sage that I finally made bonds. I was glad you were around because I thought you were as lonely as I was. But I was also jealous of you. Of your skill. So I chose to be your rival. But in the end, I'm really glad I met you."
"It's too late for that kind of sentiment Naruto," Sasuke said. "I plan to kill everyone in your precious village after I'm done with you. The time has come to show your resolve. Kill me and become a hero. Or die, and just be another of my victims."
Sasuke stared at Naruto who remained silent. "What is wrong with you," Sasuke asked as his anger began to rise. "What the fuck is wrong with you! Why! Why do you care about me so much! Why are you willing to go so far for me!"
Naruto pulled the kunai away from Sasuke and then punched him hard in the face. "How dare you," Naruto whispered. "How dare you ask me that? Look how far you have gone for the sake of your brother. How can you ask why I go so far for mine?"
Sasuke's eyes grew wide and he gasped slightly as he stared at Naruto. "You're brother….?" Sasuke seemed sad as he thought of how things once was. How they could have been if only…..if only…
It was then he remembered his brother, his mother, his father, his clan. If only Konoha hadn't betrayed them. "You're brother," Sasuke asked angrily. Naruto recoiled as he saw Sasuke activate his Mangekyo Sharingan. "I only have one brother Naruto! You are not my brother!"
Naruto saw a large figure being formed around Sasuke and leapt back as the creature destroyed the two clones that held Sasuke down. The large humanoid skeleton swung at Naruto as he was in the air, just missing him. Naruto landed and went into a defensive stance with a kunai at the ready as Sasuke stood up.
Surrounding Sasuke was a large skeletal creature. Muscles and skin began to envelope the bone completely as it continued to grow in size, completely surrounding Sasuke. Eventually it grew armor and weapons as well until if fully resembled a yamabushi.
"Naruto," Sasuke said. "It ends here. Your resolve is weak but mine is not. The past is the past! The only thing that await you is death!" Sasuke quickly made several hand signs and said, "Lightning Release: Kirin!"
"Shit," Naruto yelled as he looked up to see the storm clouds. Those fire techniques Sasuke made earlier, he thought. It was to create that damned technique! Naruto looked on in amazement as a large bolt of lightning shaped as a dragon came crashing towards him. Damn there's no time to dodge. Naruto then found himself enveloped in light.
******Meanwhile******
"Hmmm, so you used that technique," Madara said as he looked on in the distance. "Ah well, it appears I should get moving then."
Sakura looked and saw a kunai on the ground and began to crawl towards it. Her entire body felt heavy. It was like she was dragging a thousand pound weight. As she reached out Madara's foot stepped on the kunai. "Well Haruno Sakura, I'd love to stick around, but I have other things to get to. And it seems that their fight is just about over."
End of Chapter Thirty Three
Next Time: Resolve
"Some truths must never be known."
The Curse...is coming.